Swamp Rabbits Hop Past 'Blades in Shootout

ESTERO, FL – Greenville’s Paul Zanette scored the lone goal in the overtime shootout to lift the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to a 4-3 victory over the Florida Everblades at Germain Arena Friday night.  Despite the shootout loss, the Everblades (10-0-1-1) collect a standings point and remain unbeaten in regulation.

VIDEO: Watch the game highlights. 

Florida scored on its first shot of the game at 1:11 of the opening frame.  Matt Berry led a 2-on-1 rush into the zone and fired a wrist shot that ripped past Greenville goaltender Mackenzie Skapski for the tally.

Nine minutes later, Eric Scheid centered a feed to Brant Harris who snapped a shot from the slot that clipped into the net for the Florida tally to put the score at 2-0.

Greenville got on the board later in the period when Ahti Oksanen finished off a 2-on-1 pass in front when he reached for the puck with one arm and directed into the net past Daniel Altshuller for the goal.

The Swamp Rabbits grabbed the only goal in the second period at 18:38 when Oksanen gathered a loose puck at the left wing circle and hurled it into the net past a screened Altshuller for his second tally of the game.  The goal  tied the game at 2-2 heading into the third.

Greenville earned its first lead of the game in a shorthanded fashion. While killing off penalty, Matt Johnson led a 2-on-1 rush the other direction and dropped a pass at the top of the crease to Spiro Goulakos for the go-ahead marker to put the game at 3-2.

The Everblades netted the equalizer when Scheid accepted a pass from Peter Schneider, and blasted a wobbling puck from the right wing circle past Skapski for the tying marker to send the game to overtime.

Both teams had some grade-A chances in the extra session, but neither team could seal the game in overtime, and the game would then need to be decided in the shootout.

Paul Zannette scored the lone goal in the third round of the shootout to seal the 4-3 Greenville win.

Both goaltenders played well as Mackenzie Skapski earned the win making 32 saves while Altshuller takes the loss allowing three goals on 30 shots faced.

On Saturday, the Everblades will battle the Missouri Mavericks in the first ever meeting between the two teams.   Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.  Promotional details listed below.Upcoming Everblades Home Games & Promotionss

Saturday, November 19 vs. Missouri, 7:00 p.m. – Swampee's Birthday!  Joins us for Swampee's birthday with all of his mascot friends!  Join us from 5-7p.m. for the pregame tailgate featuring live music and bounce houses for the kids!  The first 500 fans will receive free ice cream courtesy of Molly Moos!

Ticket InformationIndividual Game Tickets  May be purchased online via Ticketmaster CLICK HERE.or at the Florida Community Bank Box Office located at Germain Arena.  Box Office hours are Monday thru Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (open through start of game on all game days). 

2016-17 Season Ticket Plans Now Available!  Full and flexible partial season ticket plans are currently available for the 2016-17 season. We offer several tickets packages designed to help fit your budget and schedule.

Special Offer!  Purchase any new ticket package for the 2016-17 season, and receive a $20 gift card from Ford's Garage!  Locations include Cape Coral, Downtown Fort Myers and Miromar Outlets in Estero.

For more information, call 239-948-7825, or stop by the team’s main office located at Germain Arena from Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This release courtesy of Fort Myers Technical College & Cape Coral Technical College

The Everblades are the proud ECHL affiliateof the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes###